Gérald Genta's original design for Patek Philippe's Nautilus sells for US$727,000 at Sotheby's

Hong Kong, 20 April 2022: Following the success of the Geneva sale in February, the second iteration of the Gérald Genta: Icon of Time has realized yet another landmark price for the great horologist – the original design for Patek Philppe’s Nautilus (Lot 1) soared to HK$5,670,000 / US$727,000 after a bidding battle among 10 bidders from all over the world, and eventually going into the collection of an Asia private collector. The brand’s first luxury sports watch, The Nautilus represented a subtle – yet at the time revolutionary – balance between a sports and luxury watch, ushering in a new modern era for the traditional brand. Prized today as an icon of modern design, it remains one of the most coveted watches on the international market.

This led the second auction of the sale series, which brings to the market 100 original designs from the personal archive of the legendary watch designer. Each paired with unique NFTs, the designs encompass Genta’s most iconic timepieces, never-before-seen private commissions and a selection of innovative, forward-thinking, and unique watch designs. The first sale, which took place in Geneva in February, was led by the original design for Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak which ended up selling for US$610,586

The Hong Kong sale was further highlighted by never-before-seen alternate prototype design of Nautilus, featuring a strap rather than bracelet (lot 2), which realised HK$945,000/ US$121,000. Patek Philippe did not introduce a Nautilus with leather strap, similar to this design until the year 2006 with the 5711 and 5712 examples made to celebrate the 30 years anniversary, demonstrating how Gérald Genta was always ahead of his time. Also worth noting is the Mickey Mouse Watch made especially for the Handover of Hong Kong (lot 4), a special commemoration series with Mickey holding the three flags of the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and China, which sold for HK$302,400/ US$39,000. All 34 lots were previous showcased in Sotheby’s Curated @ K11 MUSEA during the Easter weekend, attracting over 1,700 guests to pay visit.

In total, the auction attracted bidders from 18 countries across five continents.

The ‘Gérald Genta: Icon of Time’ auction series continues with sales in the Important Watches sale Geneva on 10 May, where Gérald’s very own Royal Oak, together with four oil paintings of his will be offered; before the final sequence takes place in New York (8 – 22 June), leading by the most impressive and valuable Disney watches Gérald’s had ever made.